On January 21, 2013, Sovfracht completed delivery of the batch of shell and tube exchangers (produced by Koch Heat Transfer) to Achinsk Refinery. This event finalized the long and complicated route which involved the entire set of transport services.
Early November 2012, 14 heat exchangers weighing from 44 to 138 tons were loaded onto specialized motor vehicles at the works in Italy. Transport across Italy to the port was effected by trucks and special escort vehicles along the route which had been pre-approved by local authorities.
Upon arrival of the entire batch at the port, the exchangers were reloaded onto the sea vessel specifically chartered for this shipment for on-carriage to Novorossiysk Port.
In Novorossiysk, forwarding agent for the cargo was NOVOTEK Export – its specialists arranged reloading onto rail platforms and special-purpose rail transporters. The heat exchangers were loaded and secured in accordance with specific securing diagrams developed for outsized and heavy lifts.
“Handling this batch was distinguishing as certain difficulties arose while working with OAO RZD,” said Vladimir Ishutin, NOVOTEK Export Commercial Director. – It has recently been rather hard to receive a required quantity of rail transporters to carry the overweight items. They had been ordered two months before the shipment, and for one of them we even had to request extension of inspection timeline. Another “surprise” was discrepancy between cargo dimensions and actually indicated sizes.”
It is worth mentioning that Achinsk Refinery is the sole large oil refining works in Krasnoyarsk Krai, and it also plays a significant role in the petroleum product market of the nearby regions. The plant was purchased by Rosneft in May 2007. As many other Siberian enterprises, Achinsk Refinery is rather young. Its construction had started in 1972, and the first goods were produced in 10 years.
In 2010, Achinsk Refinery processed 7.46 million tons (54.6 million bar) of oil which is 5.1% more than in 2009. Load of productive capacities exceeded 100%. Thanks to the isomerization unit put into service in December 2007, Achinsk Refinery produces the largest quantity of motor gasoline among Rosneft plants, and this fuel conforms to EURO-3 and EURO-4 classes.
In order to increase the yield of light petroleum products and comply with technical regulation requirements, a four-unit hydrocracking complex and petroleum coke production complex are currently under construction at Achinsk Refinery, as well as construction and refurbishment of 57 offsite facilities.